Toronto, Ontario – January 20, 2017 – Almost 30% of LGBT employees report experiencing discrimination in the workplace*. While protecting employees from discrimination is both a legal and ethical responsibility for employers, and is generally spelled out in anti-harassment policies, there is often a disconnect between policy and practice. The Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) believes that the topic of LGBT inclusion needs to be integrated into employee training programs. The CGLCC, in collaboration with LGBT-certified consultant Annemarie Shrouder, has dedicated resources to the development of LGBT Diversity and Inclusion Training Online, an educational initiative to help employers meet this need.

"Educating entire workforces can be challenging, particularly for employers in rural or remote locations where subject-matter experts may not be readily available”, says CGLCC CEO, Darrell Schuurman. “We chose an online delivery method so that the course would be accessible to employers across Canada, regardless of the size of the workplace or the location.”

Creating a workplace where diversity is not just tolerated, but accepted and welcomed is essential to the success of 21st century businesses. Employers who fail to create safe, respectful environments risk losing valued employees and clients to more inclusive companies, and suffering the negative impact these losses have on their bottom line.

“Education and awareness-raising is key to creating inclusive, supportive environments - where all employees feel safe and respected, and are able to participate fully and productively in the workplace,” says Schuurman. “We recognize that a single training experience, whether online or in a classroom, is not going to create an overnight change in workplace culture. But by adding a formal course on this subject, employers can make workers more aware of their language and behaviours, and how their personal actions impact others.”

Businesses and members of the public can register for the course at http://cglcc-diversity.online-compliance.com or employers can arrange to have the course accessed directly from their own website or online training portal. “We want to make it as easy as possible for employers and for individual participants,” says Schuurman. “While LGBT rights and acceptance in the workplace is improving, discrimination and intolerance are still commonplace, and it can still be daunting for LGBT individuals to self-identify and be authentic while at work. Education is a key ingredient in developing respectful, inclusive workplace cultures.”

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About the CGLCC: Established in 2003, the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is a national, non-profit industry association. The CGLCC is committed to forming a broad-based coalition, representative of the various interests of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-identified, Queer, Two-Spirited and Intersex (LGBT*) owned businesses, allied businesses, corporations, professionals, and students of business for the purpose of promoting economic growth and prosperity, through public and private sector advocacy and engagement, to advance the common business interests and opportunities of its members and stakeholders. For more information visit www.cglcc.ca